solstice blessing
Here’s to the depths of winter; here’s
to the dark of night! Cold may the north
wind blow, long the snow may fall,
and here we sit as ancient kings
as emperors and czars of old
once sat: all lonely just like us,
all longing for a better home
and longing for the year to turn.
Elsewhere or next door the noise
of worse intentions than our own
catches on a blizzard’s edge;
rising but to settle down
again, first we drink the health
and wealth of everyone we know.